Vital Remains - Icons of Evil

BACK IN TIME:
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#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

It's a toss-up for me, either 'Dechristianize' or this one 'Icons of Evil'. I don't pay attention to anyone else's reviews, so there is no influence on scores or review material latched onto. I think 'Icons of Evil' is a little less raw and I favored it a bit more than the predecessor, it was a little more death metal oriented too. I like a bit of the guitar harmonics as well. Glen sounds like he does on later Deicide releases. A little monotonous but that's alright. It fit well with the music and lyrical topics (since he is a Satanist). I enjoyed the whole album, just didn't key into the lyrics since they're not my cup of tea.

A long album, but that's a little atypical of death metal releases. The average is about 30–45 minutes, this one is over 60 minutes! I thought that it was good, though they spent a while with the songwriting. And I liked the guitars, not so much the leads, just the rhythms and harmonics (like I mentioned). Brutal music, but I thought better than the earlier Vital Remains. Too raw for me, not 'Dechristianize' but their earlier work. Wasn't a big fan of the earlier stuff. They have not released an album since this one, but they're still active. I'm not sure when they're going to come out with new music but this one and 'Dechristianize' I'll settle with.

The production was top-notch I believe thanks to Erik Rutan who's now in Cannibal Corpse replacing Pat O'Brien. I'm not sure if there are any original members left of the original band. They've gone through so many line-up changes! And even though they're continuing on the Satanic route sort of death metal they could sure put out something of the "newer" sound for the band. We'll have to wait and see. I don't think Glen is going to do any more guest lead vocals since he's still tied up with Deicide. But I'll be watching for that, and he did a great job filling in with the time that he had with the band.

I had to order these CDs from eBay ('Dechristianize' and 'Icons of Evil'). They (to me) were worth ordering. Even if it is the only two that I'll ever own of the band. Don't expect anything utter than brutal death metal with a tinge of melodic work from those albums and this one even more brutal. Both 'Dechristianize' and 'Icons of Evil' are some of my favorite death metal albums of all time. I'm glad that I took the time to wait and see how they were on Spotify before purchasing both. I collect CD's so these two are greatly precious to me. Let's just not get into the lyrical concepts! Long live Vital Remains! (Death8699)

(Century Media/Osmose Productions - 2007/2022)
Score: 80

https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/album/icons-of-evil

Bolt Gun - The Warren

#PER CHI AMA: Black/Post Metal

Avete presente il buon Iggor Cavalera dei Sepultura? Ebbene, si è messo in "società" con gli australiani Bolt Gun per rilasciare questo EP, intitolato 'The Warren', che dovrebbe fare da apripista al terzo lavoro dei Bolt Gun. Due pezzi comunque all'insegna di un caustico black/post metal che si palesa piuttosto convenzionale (per non dire piattino) nei primi due minuti della prima parte di "The Warren" per poi mutare completamente pelle con l'intervento di un elegante sax che rompe quel ritmo ridondante di un incedere maltoa che sembra poter gonfiarsi, crescere ma in realtà rimane strozzato fino a quando esplode una ritmica martellante e distopica, un assalto all'arma bianca che non fa prigionieri. La chiusura del primo brano è lasciata a claustrofobici suoni ambientali che ci preparano alla seconda parte del brano, "The Warren Part II". Qui l'incipit atmosferico è melodico, introspettivo, triste, per poi virare verso l'inquietante, il sinistro fino a che compare il drumming potente di Iggor in uno scenario che ha quasi dell'apocalittico, sebbene sembri che confluiscano nel sound della band influssi di matrice jazz. Le chitarre ripartono su un black mid-tempo, accompagnate dalle vocals strazianti del frontman e di una dinamica sonica che ancora una volta sembra poter decollare grazie al ringhiare delle chitarre che sommergono di note la voce del cantante che si perderà sotto una fitta e opprimente coltre di rabbia e negatività. Ora non posso che aspettare con ansia il full length. (Francesco Scarci)

(Avantgarde Music - 2023)
Voto: 70

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-warren

Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli

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#FOR FANS OF: Black Metal

I thought this release was WAY underrated! I really like the guitars, drums, vocals, the whole sch-peal. I think that this band evolved over the years, some for the good, but most for the worst. Not on here, though, they have my utmost attention. I'm fussy when it comes to black metal. If an album is overruled by synthesizers, I'm not interested. They didn't go overboard on here. Everything was in sync with everything else. I cannot stress that enough. They really kicked ass on here, the musicianship is just insurmountable. I think the album is good the whole way through. Everything is original sounding and the vocals slay.

With the help of Galder on lead and Hellhammer behind the drum-kit, this is a no fail release to me. I don't care about other people's opinion on here. It's totally catchy and original guitar-work. And Hellhammer simply crushes as usual. This band should have progressed, but their latest is really terrible. I stopped following this band after this release. I just thought this was the last monument. The album 'Death Cult Armageddon' another one that slays. But I like this one more. Hence, the higher rating. They should've chronically recruited Hellhammer and Galder, but Silenoz has always been killer.

The music on here is what hits home for me. They really do the album justice with the songwriting on here. They don't overuse the synthesizers. But the aura is totally grim. As with past releases, as well. They really need this album for a change and the rhythms are just entirely dramatically well orchestrated. The riffs I look at most on albums being that I was a former guitar player. It just comes natural to me. The whole effort as a band on here is just phenomenal. They really kick ass here. The drums keeping in sync with the music. It's completely there all the way and the choruses are enigmatic.

Check this one out! It's definitely worth it. For black metal fans or just people who like metal, this release is a killer one! Everything on here is worth checking out, the music, the production quality, the vocals and the drums. Everything on here is just amazing. This album is filled with intriguing auras and high points. It's entirely amazing, and they picked an all-star cast. Hellhammer slays behind the drum-kit. And Galder does a great job on lead. But the rhythms are entirely original. Some of the variations in the vocals are intriguing as well. Get this album right now! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast/Avalon - 2007/2020)

Score: 75

https://www.dimmu-borgir.com/

Gorthaur's Wrath - Unleash Hell

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine

#PER CHI AMA: Black Metal Svedese

Nove pezzi (più una evitabilissima traccia 66 nascosta, che consiste però in un interessante remix industrialoide) ci vengono proposti da questa band croata, ispiratissima dal duo Marduk/Dark Funeral. Nonostante una certa carenza di fantasia, i cinque black metaller dei Balcani se la cavano con i loro strumenti a sufficienza da lasciarsi ascoltare abbastanza volentieri. Palesissimo l’influsso dei Dark Funeral (talora ci sarebbero addirittura gli estremi del plagio), a cui i G.W. cercano di sottrarsi inserendo alcune orchestrazioni discretamente valide. Il punto di forza della band è però l’aggressività e l’ottima prova del batterista Insanus che picchia parecchio dietro alle pelli. Certi spunti lasciano pensare che qualche numero del tutto personale potrebbe saltar anche fuori dal cilindro dei nostri croati, ma, per il momento, il songwriting ha un carattere troppo derivativo per essere ben giudicato. Apprezzabile la lunga durata del demo e discreta la registrazione, ma mancano le idee. Non mi sento comunque di bocciare del tutto i G.W. perché 'Unleash Hell' è godibilissimo (forse per questo è stato riproposto nel 2019), seppur per un numero abbastanza limitato di ascolti, e decisamente meglio suonato rispetto al materiale di altri emuli del black metal svedese. Provate intanto a dargli un ascolto.

(Self/InsArt Records - 2001/2019)
Voto: 65

https://www.facebook.com/gorthaurswrath/

Angelcorpse - The Inexorable

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#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

The aggression is absolutely unfathomable! I've heard blackened death metal but these guys punch a whole in the speakers! Originality in the songwriting and it's a full under an hour onslaught of pure metal. A shit-ton of blast beats and fast riffs all over. They don't seem to let-up in intensity. I was more than satisfied with this album, enough to gear that it is flawless. It really makes bands in the similar genre to be eunuchs. That's one thing that this album offers, is balls out intense. There's no nonsense on here. They were all about ripping in guitar work. The riffs are filled with tremolo picking everywhere!

All throughout the album is fast tempos. They don't want to slow-down. And the leads shrike in complexity. Pure onslaught of terror and the lyrics all about the ungod. They didn't want to put together anything but music that's no holds barred brigade. There are only a few instances where they play a little less intense but not much! Everything coming together, that's fast and furious songwriting. I don't hear much let-up at all. They just wanted to tear everything apart including the listener. I believe the guitarist Gene went on to form Perdition Temple. They are similar to this just not as intense.

The production quality was good enough to make everything fall into place. The music was well-balanced just the guitars are so fast throughout this whole album. The vocals went well alongside the music and the tempos are unrelenting. It never gets old though I warn you one listen per day of this because it's so intense. They knew what they wanted to do on here, I'd say that this is sort in the vein of a concept album. And the concept is to annihilate the eardrums! They really can play some sick metal, and their talent shows throughout this entire release. The abomination in music makes this so memorable!

I decided not to download the album, I wanted it on CD. But yeah, you have your choice and if you want into this release then show the band some support (even though they're split-up), buy the album. I'm sure if you're a fan of this particular genre, you'll enjoy this immensely. But if you really want to, I'm sure Spotify or YouTube has this album on there. Definitely not one to pass up ABSOLUTELY. These guys know how to make a dynamic and intense album all the way through. Consistency was key on here and it definitely shows. I like this band, and it's a shame that you won't be hearing more from them. Own this! (Death8699)

(Osmose Productions - 1999/2022)
Score: 80

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-inexorable

Vale Of Tears - Oxymora I.

#PER CHI AMA: Melo Groove Death

Arrivano da Karcag in Ungheria e non devono essere confusi con gli omologhi, ma ormai sciolti, originari di Budapest. I Vale of Tears di quest'oggi, si sono formati addirittura nel 1997 e 'Oxymora I.' è un EP che arriva 14 anni dopo il precedente full length 'Illdisposed Inner Interest', quasi a dire "ragazzi non temete, siamo ancora vivi". E allora fatevi investire anche voi dal roboante sound melo death del quintetto magiaro. Un trio di song che arriva giusto in tempo per prenderci a schiaffoni con i loro riff tritasass: "Antibiosis" ne è un chiaro esempio tra un riffing sincopato, growling vocals e ottimi assoli, a cui aggiungere anche la partecipazione di tal Péter Kelne. "The Loudest Silence" prosegue l'opera demolente, in un intrecciarsi di ottimi assoli che sfrecciano piacevoli su questo tessuto ritmico davvero pesante (e che forse andrebbe leggermente alleggerito). I growls di Ferencz Mulicz sono davvero da orco cattivo, ma in questo contesto ci stanno dopo tutto benino. In chiusura, "Limited Freedom" suona più fresca, più moderna, più melodica e sembra quasi meno mastodontica, soprattutto grazie allo splendido lavoro delle asce e a delle influenze elettroniche che ci mostrano un lato differente dei Vale of Tears. Insomma, un ritorno che per alcuni potrebbe essere anche gradito, per me invece una piacevole sorpresa. (Francesco Scarci)

(Self - 2023)
Voto: 68

https://valeoftearshungary.bandcamp.com/album/oxymora-i

Destruction - Inventor of Evil

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#FOR FANS OF: Thrash Metal

This is a strong release by thrash metal veterans Destruction. Solid, quality riffs are featured on this whole release. It's amped up in intensity and the vocals have a sort of echo to them to make the atmosphere more surreal. It actually suits the music quite well. Not as strong of a release than 'The Antichrist', but it's still pretty darn good. One thing they could've cut out are the leads (Mike's). It's just too sloppy and he's never been good in that department so it's better that they have guest musicians filling that slot though now they're a 4-piece. Mike did great with the songwriting and the main riffs to songs but always lagged on leads. Harry was SUPERIOR.

I enjoyed this whole release! I would've scored it higher if (as I mentioned) the leads were taken out. They did make a great comeback which I didn't think would happen after 'Cracked Brain'. I'm glad they did return! All 'Hell Breaks Loose' was a killer comeback and I overplayed it (haha). It's hit or miss with Destruction though. Most of their early stuff I like with the exception of course their bad production quality ('Sentence of Death' and 'Eternal Devastation/Mad Butcher'). 'Infernal Overkill' hits home with me though. Their newer stuff a lot of it sounds similar to previous releases. That's the one beef I have with the band. They need to come back with their creative juices.

Fortunately, it was a good production on here and the riffs were pretty good. It was deserving of a "73" rating. There are quite a few guests on the vocal department (not that Schmier needs it) but it adds some variety to the release. And to correct I do think there are only a few guests for lead guitar. Overall, the thrash metal community stays strong with bands like Destruction setting the standard for this generation of bands putting out music in this genre. Destruction was one of the founding bands in the early 80s who really put forth a lot of original releases in that era of thrash metal. But now, they seem to blend in with a lot of other bands. 'Inventor of Evil' has a touch of the new and old work.

Production wise this release was done well! I believe they were on a budget that allowed this and spent some time in recording this. The riffs are fresh and nostalgic. I believe Schmier was strong on the vocals and Mike did well on the rhythm guitar. The fact that he's not with the band any longer makes me sad. He was the founding guitarist to the band and I guess he wasn't feeling it anymore. Band members commented on his departure that they (Schmier) were sad to see him go after all these years. But they also commented in saying that he was in poor health. At least he sounds great on here! (Death8699)

(AFM Records/Seven Seas - 2005/2015)
Score: 73

https://www.destruction.de/

Borgarting - Beist

#PER CHI AMA: Black Metal

La Dusktone deve averci preso gusto ad arruolare band norvegesi nel proprio roaster, pensando forse di trovare quella band che le permetta di fare il salto di qualità, un po' come fondamentalmente fanno anche le squadre di calcio quando cercano nuovi talentuosi piccoli Messi in Sud America, sperando nel colpo gobbo. Cosi, anche l'etichetta nostrana, setacciando tutto il sottosuolo norvegese, ha fatto saltar fuori questi Borgarting, che arrivano al loro secondo album. 'Beist' è un esempio di black mid-tempo, anche se l'introduttiva "De Skyldige" è piuttosto una noiosissima nenia. Poi, a partire da "Allfar", emergono forti le influenze nordiche di band del calibro di Khold o Satyricon, tra gelide chitarre zanzarose, una parvenza melodica, delle vocals che sembrano evocare gli Enslaved e quanto di "alternativo" la scena black norvegese ha provato a rilasciare in passato. Non siamo ai livelli di intoccabili mostri sacri, ma le song scorrono via veloci tra schitarrate rancide che odorano di black thrash old school ("Hat"), grim vocals, porzioni più melodiche e atmosferiche ("Mer"), che provano a stemperare le dissonanze sonore di influenza "satiriconiana", periodo 'Rebel Extravaganza' che ritroviamo nelle note dei nostri. Ma poi, la sensazione che respiro dopo quest'immersione nel mondo dei Borgarting è un po' deludente, visto che alla fine dei conti, non ho sentito nulla di originale, ma solo un disco ben suonato, e poco più, che per carità, è già tanta roba in un periodo in cui bandcamp e affini, permettono a chiunque di dare il proprio contributo (talvolta pessimo) a un mondo musicale che sembra si stia accartocciando su se stesso. Comunque, quello del quintetto norvegese è alla fine un discreto lavoro, di lontana matrice black'n'roll, giusto per sottolineare una sorta di sperimentazione nelle note di 'Beist'. Bravini, ma i nuovi Messi si contano sulle dita di una mano. (Francesco Scarci)

(Dusktone - 2023)
Voto: 65

https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/beist